March 2011
doc.: IEEE 802.11-11/0365r0
IEEE P802.11
Wireless LANs
P802.11u Press Release
Date: 2011-03-18
Author(s):
Name
Affiliation
Address
Phone
email
Stephen
McCann
Research in
Motion
200 Bath Road,
Slough, SL1 3XE,
UK
+44 1753
667099
smccann@rim.com
Overview
This submission proposes a press release for P802.11u
Submission
page 1
Stephen McCann, RIM
March 2011
doc.: IEEE 802.11-11/0365r0
Contact:
Shuang Yu, IEEE-SA Marketing Manager
+1 732-981-3424, shuang.yu@ieee.org
IEEE Publishes the 802.11u amendment titled Interworking with External Networks to extend the base
IEEE 802.11 WLAN standardSpecification .
PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA, 18 March 2011 – The IEEE today announced that it has published the IEEE
802.11u™- 2011, Standard for Information Technology-Telecommunications and Information Exchange
between systems-Local and Metropolitan networks-Specific requirements-Part 11: Wireless LAN
Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications: Amendment x Interworking
with External Networks.
This amendment defines mechanisms that allow IEEE 802.11™ technology to interwork with external
networks such as cellular core and fixed line networks. IEEE 802.11u™ defines enhancements to the
medium access control layer to allow mobile communication devices such as laptop computers or multimode phones to join a wireless network as widely used in the home, public hotspots and commercial
establishments. These enhancements cover the areas of device enrolment, network selection, emergency
services support, user traffic segmentation, and service advertisement. The MAC changes allow a device
to discover a rich bouquet of network information, prior to the commencement of a user session,
considerably improving the user experience of WLAN connection and setup.
For further information on IEEE 802.11u, visit http://standards.ieee.org/findstds/standard/802.11u2011.html. To purchase documents, visit http://shop.ieee.org.
About IEEE 802
The IEEE 802® LAN/MAN Standards Committee has been developing interoperable LAN and
metropolitan area network (MAN) standards for more than 30 years. Its most transformative successes
have been Ethernet and Ethernet switching, Token Ring, IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) and IEEE 802.15 PAN. Its
work continues for Ethernet, Wireless LAN, Wireless PAN, Wireless MAN, Wireless RAN, Bridging
standards and other projects related to these technologies. Individual working groups provide the focus
for each area. Decisions by the IEEE 802 working groups will shape communications for years to come.
For more information about the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee, see http://www.ieee802.org.
About the IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body within the IEEE,
develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings
together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices
based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over
900 active standards and more than 500 standards under development. For more information
visit http://standards.ieee.org/.
About IEEE
IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing
technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences,
technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a
wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to
biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Learn more at
http://www.ieee.org.
Submission
page 2
Stephen McCann, RIM